Sean swims Snowdon

snowdonia, wales
ROUTE BY above below

Back in 2011 we did our first test of cross country swimming around Snowdon. Back then we just had a waterproof rucksack that barely floated. Now, over 10 years later we returned accompanied by a man who definitely inspired and motivated us to make the RuckRaft – endurance adventurer Sean Conway. Joining us on the trip were locals Hero Douglas and Kathryn Roberts.

LOCATION: Snowdonia, wales
TOTAL DISTANCE: 16km
ABOVE DISTANCE (HIKE): 13km
BELOW DISTANCE (SWIM): 3km
A (START): llyn padarn
B (FINISH): gwynant campsite
DURATION: a big day out
DIFFICULTY: hard
OS Map: OL17

Before you set off, please read our safety guide and blog post on the risks of biosecurity. And here is our recommended kit list.

need to know

Terrain: This is a big day out up the highest peak in England and Wales.

Safety: The swims are in lakes and the first of these Llyn Padarn can be busy in the summer. But there are plenty of outs and you can swim close to the shore. 

Things to look out for: This is Snowdon so likely to be busy. Crowds, traffic and timing are key. 

Accommodation: We always try to stay at our friend Alice’s place St Curigs Church – luxury accommodation in a converted Mountain Church that’s worth every penny.

Extra kit: There’s a good way to make this an overnight camp at the end if you tow your tent, bivvy or tarp (which you can with the RuckRaft). It’s Snowdon and Wales so waterproofs are a good idea.

Highlights: The whole area, Snowdon and the summit cafe, Watkin path and the pools and waterfalls, the final swim into the beach of Gwynant campsite. And there are a couple of lower level days out around Capel Curig and Llyn Llydaw to make a brilliant few days of it.

Above: This is a big long hike over Snowdon up the long Llanberis path and down the Watkin path. 6km up, 7km down. 

Below: Two lakes swims, the first in Llyn Padarn can be 500 - 1500m and the second length of Llyn Gwynant is just over 1400m. 

description

The route is a fairly simple but long A to B with a swim at the start and finish. And the finish is a swim into the cracking Gwynant campsite. 

The logistical challenge is transport and how to have one car at the start, one at the end. This is relatively easy to do if you stay in Capel Curig or indeed camp at Gwynant the night before so you are swimming home. But this does require some prep, friends.

Start: Llanberis, Caernarfon LL55 4PX and the car park is right next to the famous Llyn Padarn lonely tree. From here you can swim as much of Llyn Padarn as you want up to where the Llanberis path and train start.

You then head up the Llanberis path know as the tourist route. It’s just a big old hill walk really. There is a way to make this whole day a bit easier with getting the train up Snowdon for part of most of the ascent.

The route down is the Watkin Path - it’s considered the hardest of the routes but also the most interesting by many with its a beautiful path with waterfalls, Gladstone’s Rock and good views if you get the weather. It’s considered the most ip

At the bottom of the Watkin path is Llyn Gwynant. You get to this by a detour of the main path heading down to and through the National Trust Hafod y Lan Campsite (nice place to stay it is too).

Llyn Gwynant is about a mile of swim and just enough to take the ache of the hill out of your legs in the crisp water. The finish is a swim into the beach at the Gwynant campsite where you may have camped the night before - or you have swum with the RuckRaft and your tarp, sleeping bag and can pitch up for a rest. There’s pizzas and food on site for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

your guide

Want to give this route a go (and other routes in Snowdonia), but not ready to go it alone? Get in touch with our local guide – welsh-born all-round adventurer, qualified mountain leader and Open Water Swim Coach Kathryn Roberts (above left).

All our local guides are qualified lifeguards or swimguides with first-hand experience of the route.